Challenge: Can You Spell Better Than A Fifth-Grader?

The Rim Country Literacy Program (RCLP) is inviting businesses, clubs, organizations, church groups and others to participate in its annual Community Spelling Bee in March.

The fun event is from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 27 at St. Philip’s recreational hall, 511 S. St. Phillips St.

This year, the bee is limited to 15 teams, comprised of four members per team from each organization that participates.

Three of the teams will be fifth-graders from the Payson school district. In addition, RCLP has invited the middle school and high school to participate as adult teams.

This is an excellent opportunity to support the RCLP and its many literacy programs. The team entry fee is $100.

Because this is an effort to raise funds for RCLP, participating teams are encouraged to solicit sponsors to increase the amount of money for the program. The team that raises the most funds from pledges will be recognized and rewarded.

Please join RCLP for a day of fun, fellowship and good-hearted competition. Can your adult team beat the 5th-graders?

Entries must be returned by March 15, along with the tax-deductible fee to: Rim Country Literacy Program, 809 W. Longhorn Road, E-1, Payson, AZ 85541.

In addition to building excitement, participating teams are asked to submit 10 words unique to their profession or organization to be added to the lists of words for the spelling bee.

The competition is going to be fierce, and each team is encouraged to have a cheering section, as well as sponsors.

For more information, contact RCLP at (928) 468-7257 or e-mail rclp@cbiwireless.